asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the operation of the choice of doctor scheme to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Choice of Doctor Scheme.
17.
I consider that the reorganised general medical service is, on the whole, working reasonably satisfactorily and that it has led to a significant improvement in the medical services available to eligible persons. There are some aspects of the scheme which give me cause for concern but the review which is now taking place with the medical organisations and the pharmacists affords all the parties concerned the opportunity of raising and discussing matters of concern to them.
Will the Minister accept that many old people have to travel further to their doctors premises than they had to travel under the old dispensary system?
That is possible but not necessarily so.
There are instances. Would the Minister be prepared to investigate them?
There was always this difficulty no matter what system was operated.
Is it possible that some assistance could be given to some of these people who have to travel considerable distances to the doctor's premises under the choice of doctor scheme especially in remote country areas?
This has not happened today or yesterday.
Will the Minister take into account the cases of doctors who are discriminated against by not being permitted to join the scheme although they are adequately qualified under the present regulations?
I presume that, arising out of the report of the Commission on General Practice in which certain recommendations were made in respect of the choice of doctor scheme, this would be an aspect of the deliberations of the review body.
Arising out of Deputy O'Connell's supplementary question, as a matter of information what is the position of a doctor who is anxious to join the choice of doctor scheme? How may he qualify and what disqualification is there at present against him? I am looking for information.
Generally speaking, each doctor is supposed to have a certain number of patients who would be eligible for medical cards. I forget the exact proportion but I think it is 2,000 of the population. That would be the general guideline for entry into the choice of doctor scheme.
I have in mind the statement made recently by the President of University College, Dublin, in which he said that we can accommodate only about 150 doctors per annum out of the 500 who qualify. Have the other 350 no chance of establishing any kind of practice or position in their own country so long as there is an exclusion against them?
I am afraid the position is as suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. In the past few years we have been turning out too many doctors, unfortunately, as the Deputy suggests, for export. Recognising this position last December, I established a working party to inquire into the position which the Deputy has just mentioned and to provide some sort of career guidance not only in respect of medicine as against the other faculties but especially in respect of medicine to make sure that we would not have too many doctors and that they would get career guidance as to what specialty they should engage in.
Is the Minister aware that if a doctor wishes to set up in practice in any part of the country the only way he can get on the choice of doctor list is by applying for a vacant former dispensary district?
That is so.
There is no point in saying that 2,000 or 3,000 of the population has anything to do with it. He cannot get in unless there is a vacancy.
When was that introduced?
That is the position as it operates.
That has always been the position.
The Minister said something different a moment ago.
We are trying to do something about it.
Question No. 18.